The main purpose is to follow up on the progress on energy security since the launch of the Rome Energy Initiative for Energy Security, established in Rome in May 2014.

“We are committed to initiate a systematic and enduring step change to improve energy security at national, regional and global levels,” a 2014 joint statement read. “ We believe that a broader energy security strategy is needed to address the larger dimensions of today’s globalized energy markets shared among energy consumers, producers and transit countries.”

Ahead of the G7 Energy ministerial meeting, the Italian presidency of the G7 hosts a side event on Africa 2030: Empowering the continent through innovation, green tech solutions and capacity building to focus on accelerating the deployment of innovative sustainable energy solutions in the Africa continent.

The following are among the main topics of discussion at the upcoming G7 Energy:

On March 24, in Rome, Gestore Servizi Energetici (GSE) hosted a Workshop on Energy sector employment, ahead of the G7 Energy ministerial meeting. The event was organized by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.

Representatives from many international organizations — such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and International Labor Organization (ILO) — attended the event, which was inaugurated by Teresa Bellanova, Italian Vice Minister of Economic Development.

Participants outlined the need to identify a common methodological approach at the international level to evaluate the employment effects associated with energy policy changes. It is a priority for G7 Countries and the European Union as well as for Italy’s newly launched ANPAL (a national employment agency).

Discussion focused on providing a platform to develop individual markets and on identifying domestic and international economic development opportunities. It was agreed that more accurate data for implementing active work policies would make it easier to evaluate the impact of energy policy changes on jobs.

All these inputs will be brought to the attention of the seven Ministers of Energy during the G7 Ministerial meeting in April in Rome and will be addressed as well during the Ministerial meeting of the International Agency for Energy on November 7–8 in Paris.

The process began at the Kitakyushu 2016 Energy Ministerial Meeting, when Ministers noted the close relationship between energy security and economic growth and confirmed the importance of G7 Members in facilitating investments for secure and sustainable energy in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, to promote global growth.

Dispatches from the G7 by the Embassy of Italy in the United States. For more, follow us on Twitter at @G7inUS and @ItalyinUS. For the 2017 Italian Presidency of the G7, follow the official channel on Twitter @G7Italy2017.

Never miss a story from G7 in US, when you sign up for Medium. Learn more